Brace for retaining panels during cement distribution

ABSTRACT

A brace for temporarily retaining a first panel and a second panel in abutting contact with a respective support member for each panel has two brace members, breakable end portions, removable brackets connectable to the end portions thereof, and a retaining members engageable in retaining apertures proximal disposed between the end portions and proximal thereto. The brace members are extended between the opposing panels, with the support members being placed in the brackets. The retaining member is inserted into each retaining member until each panel is held with the inner face abutting the retaining member and the outer face abutting the support member in the bracket. After application of the cementitious material, the breakable portions, brackets, and support member may be removed by breaking off the breakable end portions by application of a force thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to braces for retaining panels, and ismore particularly directed to a brace for retaining panels while acementitious material is distributed therebetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known in the art to use to use braces for retaining panelswhile a liquid cementitious structure is distributed therebetween tobond the panels together to form a single structure or to form acementitious structure between the panels which are then removed whenthe cementitious material has solidified. For example, U.S. Pat. No.4,085,495 issued to Hebert on Apr. 25, 1978 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,730,476issued to Prichard Jr. on May 1, 1973 teach braces and methods thereforin which braces are used to maintain panels spaced apart against supportmembers, held in brackets of the braces, while the cementitious materialis distributed therebetween. The panels typically have a plurality ofapertures where braces are extended between the panels and are attachedto the support members extending across the outer surfaces of the panelswhich are retained in abutment thereagainst by retaining members wedgedagainst inner faces of the panels, nails, or the like, and by thebrackets, disposed on the outer face of the panels. As the panels areretained against the support members, which are spaced part from oneanother, the panels are retained spaced a part allowing the cementitiousmaterial to be distributed therethrough. After the cementitious materialhas solidified, the support members may be removed, often by breakingparts of the brace connecting the support member to the panel or byremoving such parts.

Unfortunately, such braces often require large numbers of holes to beplaced in the panels, which must often be covered after removal of thesupport members. Further, placement of the support members in bracketsand removal of the brackets can be cumbersome. Additionally, parts ofthe brace may remain protruding from the outer face of the panels afterremoval of the supporting members.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved brace for retaining panelson support members while a cementitious material is distributedtherebetween.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide animproved for an improved brace for retaining panels on support memberswhile a cementitious material is distributed therebetween.

An advantage of the present invention is that the braces may be easilyinstalled against the panels and support members.

Another advantage of the present invention is that brackets of thebrace, which retain the support members and the panels against oneanother, are easily connected and removed from the remainder of thebraces.

A further advantage of the present invention is that, after distributionof the cementitious material, the support members and brackets may beeasily removed without leaving a portion of the brace extending outsideof the panels.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that the braces mayretain support members against adjacent sets of panels.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the brace extendscompletely around the support member.

Still another advantage is that the invention permits mounting andforming of cement filled architectural structures.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda brace for temporarily retaining a first panel and a second panel inabutting contact with a respective support member for each panel on anouter face of the panel while a cementitious material is distributedbetween respective inner faces of the panels, the brace comprising:

-   -   first and second brace members each having respective        longitudinally opposed first and second ends, first and second        respective breakable portions disposed respectively proximal the        first and second ends, the breakable portions being breakable by        application of a force thereto, first and second respective end        portions extending respectively from the first and second        breakable portions to the first and second ends, and first and        second retaining members disposed respectively between the first        and second breakable portions and proximal thereto;    -   first and second brackets connected to, respectively, the first        and the second ends, wherein the brace members extend between        the panels with the first and second ends thereof disposed        respectively proximal the first and second panels with the        retaining members abutting against the respective inner faces of        the brackets and the support members abutting against the        brackets and the outer faces of the panels with each breakable        portion disposed between the respective inner face and outer        face of the panel for breakage thereat and subsequent removal of        the end portion, bracket, and support member after the        cementitious material has been distributed.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from a careful reading of the detailed description providedherein, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomebetter understood with reference to the description in association withthe following Figures, in which similar references used in differentFigures denote similar components, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an embodiment for retainingpanels spaced apart for distribution of a cementitious materialtherebetween, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the brace shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the brace shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the brace shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the annexed drawings the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention will be herein described for indicative purpose and byno means as of limitation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is schematically shown anembodiment of a brace, shown generally as 10, for retaining first andsecond opposing panels 12 a, 12 b spaced apart and with outer faces 20thereof against, e.g. in abutting contact with, respective supportmembers 14 therefor while a cementitious material 16 is distributedbetween respective inner faces 18 of the panels 12. As best shown inFIG. 1, a plurality of braces 10 may also be deployed to retain sets 22a, 22 b of vertically superposed or stacked opposing panels 12 a, 12 bagainst support members 12. In such case, the opposing panels 12 a, 12 bof the sets 22 a, 22 b are, preferably but not compulsorily, alignedwith horizontal ends 24 thereof generally in vertical alignment with oneanother and vertical ends 26 thereof in horizontal alignment with oneanother and each support member 14 and braces 10 are positionedextending over the adjacent vertical ends 26 of horizontally adjacentpanels 12. In such configurations, opposing panels 12 a, 12 b disposedvertically intermediate have a brace 10 extending therebetween. Thepanels 12 may be of any material conventionally used for formingstructures with cementitious material, including wood, metal, brick,plastic, ceramic, cement or the like. The cementitious material 16 maybe cement, concrete, or any other material typically used fordistribution, for example pouring, in liquid from and then solidifyingto form a hardened structure. The panels 12 are, preferably, bonded toone another with the cementitious material 16 to form a unitarystructure therewith, such as a wall, panel or the like. Alternatively,the panels 12 may be removed after the cementitious material hassolidified, in which case the panels 12 serve as a temporary mould forthe cementitious material 16.

As shown, each brace 10 has two, i.e. first and second, longitudinalbrace members, respectively 30 a, 30 b which are configured, i.e. sizedand shaped, to longitudinally extend or traverse across a predeterminedspace D between the panels 12 a, 12 b, and specifically between theopposing respective inner faces 18 thereof. Each brace member 30 hasrespective longitudinally opposed first and second ends, respectively 32a, 32 b, between which respective first and second side edges 40 extend,with first and second, preferably planar and flat member surfaces 42 a,42 b extending longitudinally between the first and second side edges 40and first and second ends. Accordingly, the brace members 30 are,preferably, substantially flat.

First and second ends breakable portions 34 a, 34 b are situatedproximal to, respectively, the first and second ends 32 a, 32 b, eachbreakable portion 34 being formed and defined by pairs of breakindentations 44 which extending inwardly toward one another from,respectively the first and second longitudinal side edges 40 at acommon, i.e. identical, predetermined longitudinal position relative theends 32. The first and second breakable portions 34 a, 34 b and thefirst and second ends 32 a, 32 b, respectively define first and secondremovable end portions 36 a, 36 b extending therebetween for each bracemember 30 and which may be removed by breaking the breakable portion 34.For each brace 10, the brace members 30 are preferably identical. Eachbrace member 30 also has first and second longitudinal retaining memberapertures or slots 54 a, 54 b disposed between the breakable portions 34a, 34 b situated, respectively, proximal the first and second breakableportions 34 a, 34 b. The retaining slots 54 receive generallytriangularly wedge shaped retaining members 54, which are insertedtherein for abutment against the inner faces 18 of the panels 12. Thebreak indentations 44, preferably triangular in shape, are defined byrespective first and second tapered portions 46 in the side edges 40tapering inwardly towards each other and intersecting each other at acommon longitudinal position, along which optional perforations, notshown, may be disposed. The break indentations 44 weaken the bracemembers 30 and enable breakage of the brace members 30 at the breakableportions 34, notably at the common longitudinal position, by applicationof a force thereto, for example by striking the brace 10 in proximity tothe ends 32 with a mallet or hammer.

The first and second end portions 36 a, 36 b have, respectively,longitudinal first and second bracket apertures or slots 58 a, 58 b forthe brace member 30 disposed thereon and are configured, e.g. sized andshaped, for connecting preferably identical brackets 50 a, 50 b to thebrace members 30. The bracket first bracket slot 58 a and second bracketslot 58 b of the first brace member 30 a are preferably aligned with thefirst bracket slot 58 a, 58 b of the second brace member 30 b, i.e. atthe same position on relative the ends 32 a, 32 b. The retaining slots54 a, 54 b are the brace member 30 a, 30 b are, preferably, aligned withone another in the same way. The brackets 50 a, 50 b are of similarshape to the support member 12 and are configured for receiving thesupport members 14 and retaining them in abutment against the respectiveouter faces 20 of the panels 12, i.e. with at least a portion of aproximal surface 62 of the support member 14 positioned proximallyadjacent the outer face 20 and abutting therewith. The remaining portionof the support member, extending away from the adjacent surface 62 isembraced, preferably abuttingly, by the bracket 50.

More specifically, and as shown, each bracket 50 is preferably U-shapedand has a bracket plate 66 extending between first and second bracketside arms, respectively 68 a and 68 b, connected thereto and extendingradially therefrom to first and second bracket ends, respectively 74 a,74 b. The bracket arms 68 a, 68 b have, respectively, first and secondbracket fingers 60 a, 60 b at bracket ends 74 a, 74 b for releasableinsertion into the bracket slots 58 a, 58 b to removably connect thebrackets 50 to the brace members 30 at the end portions 36 a, 36 b. Whenthe panels 12 are held in place, spaced apart from each other atdistance D, by the braces 10, the bracket plate 66 of each bracket 30abuts against a distal portion or surface 64 of the support member 14,situated distal the outer face 20 and generally opposite the proximalsurface 62, and the proximal surface 62 abuts the outer face 20, withthe arms 68 extending from the bracket plate 68 to the end portions 36and connected thereto by the bracket fingers 60 in the bracket slots 58.Thus, the first bracket 30 a is connected to the first end portions 34 aof the brace members 30, with the fingers 60 thereof engaged in thefirst bracket slots 54 a. Similarly, the second bracket 30 b isconnected to the second end portions 34 b of the brace members 30, withthe fingers 60 thereof engaged in the second bracket slots 54 b. At thesame time, each panel 12 is held against the proximal surface 62 by theretaining members 52 inserted into the retaining slots 54 and inabutment against inner faces 18. Thus, the panels 12 are retained spacedapart from each other, at distance D for distribution of thecementitious material 16 therebetween. When the cementitious material 16has hardened or solidified, a force may be applied to the brackets 50,for example by striking the brackets 50 with a hammer or the like, whichcauses the breakable portions 34 a, 34 b to break, thus allowing the endportions 36, brackets 50, and support members 14 to be easily removed.

The brace members 30 are further configured, i.e. sized in terms of thedistance between the breakable portions 34, such that the breakableportions 34 are disposed between the inner and outer faces 18, 20 whenthe panels 12 are retained by brackets 50 and retaining members 52 asdescribed above. Thus, when the brackets 50 and end portions 36 areremoved, the breakable portions 34 are disposed between the inner andouter faces 18, 20, which allows for application of the cementitiousmaterial or grout between the panel 12 and a structure verticallyadjacent thereto, such as a vertically adjacent panel 12, to cover thebreakable portion 34.

To provide additional support and stabilization of the support member14, each bracket 50 is provided with a retaining screw 76 and screwaperture 78 therefor, preferably disposed on the bracket plate 66. Theretaining screw 76, preferably threaded, is screwed through the screwaperture 78, also preferably threaded, into the support member tofacilitate retention of the support member 14 in abutment with thebracket 50, notably the plate thereof. Further, the retaining screw 76,when screwed through the aperture 78 into the support member 14 preventsaxial displacement, for example sliding or slippage, of the supportmember 14 in the bracket 50.

To further stabilize the support member 14, the bracket arms 68 areconfigured, e.g. sized and shaped, to extend abuttingly against abutagainst at least a portion of member side surfaces 72 which extendbetween proximal and distal surfaces 62, 64 when the support member 14is seated in the bracket 30, as described above, with the bracketfingers 60 inserted into the slots 58. To provide space for the ends 32when the fingers 60 are inserted into the bracket slots 58, each sidearm 68 is formed of a side plate 80 extending from a respectiveintersecting edge 82, a recessed portion 84 extending from the sideplate 82, and a finger portion 86 extending from the recessed portion 84to the bracket end 74, i.e. a free side arm end 74 for each side arm 68.The recessed portion 84 is recessed relative the finger portion 86 andthe side plate 80 and forms a side arm recess 88 for receiving the end32 therein when the finger 84 is inserted into the bracket slot 58. Asthe recessed portion 84 is recessed relative the finger portion 86 andthe bracket end 74, the finger portion 86 protrudes therefrom and formsthe finger 60. More specifically, each finger 60 has a preferablystraight end, i.e. the free end 74, and an inwardly tapering edge 90,adjacent the plate recess 88, tapering inwardly towards the side plate80. Advantageously, the tapering finger edge 90 allows vertical slidingor wedging of the finger 60 into the bracket slot 58 for facilitatingconnection of the bracket 50 to the brace members 30. Optionally, thebracket arms 68 may be resilient or resiliently connected to the bracketplates 66 at the intersecting edges 82. In such case, the arms 68 may beresiliently bent or biased inwardly when the bracket 50 duringconnection to the end portions 36, by insertion of the fingers 60 intothe slots 58, to bring the bracket arms 68 into abutment with at least aportion, e.g. the member side surface 72, of the supporting member 14.

Each retaining member 52 is, preferably triangularly, wedge shaped withan angled inner side 91 which extends angularly away from a, preferablystraight, outer side 92, with planar member surfaces 94 extendingtherebetween. The retaining slots 54 are defined by longitudinallyopposed inner and outer slot ends, respectively 96 a, 96 b, and slotside edges 98 of the end portion 36 extending therebetween. Theretaining members 52 and slots 54 are configured, e.g. sized, forinsertion of the retaining member 52 therein with the angled side 91facing towards the inner slot ends 96 a and the outer side 92 facingtowards the inner face 20 of the panel 12, with the member surfaces 94in abutting contact with the slot side edges 98. Once introduced, i.e.initially inserted into the slot 54, the retaining member 52 is forced,by application of a force thereto, further into the slot 54 to force theangled side 91 into sliding abutting contact with the inner slot end 96a and the straight outer side 92 into abutting contact with the innerface 18.

As one skilled in the art will readily understand, the outwardly angledinner side 91 will force the outer straight side 92 further and furthertowards the inner face 18 as the member 52 is forced further into theretaining slot 54 until at least a portion of outer side 92 abutsagainst the inner face 18 and the inner side abuts against the innerslot end 96 a. In turn, as the retaining member 52 is forced stillfurther into the retaining slot 54, the retaining member 52, abuttingagainst the inner face 18 and inner slot end 96 a forces the panel 12towards the support member 14 and the support member 14 further into thebracket 18 until the support member 14 is seated in the bracket 30 withthe proximal surface 62 abutting against the outer face 20 and thedistal surface 64 abutting against the bracket plate 66, at which pointthe panel 12 is abuttingly retained against with support member 14. Byrepeating this process with both panels 12 a, 12 b, the panels 12 areretained spaced apart from one another and the cementitious material 16may be applied.

To ensure that the retaining member 52 is retained in the retaining slot54, one or more of the member surfaces 94 may have spaced apart teeth orridges 100 disposed thereon, preferably extending proximally adjacentlythe outer side 92. The teeth 100 grippingly and abuttingly engage theside edge 98 as the retaining member 52 is inserted into the retainingslot 54 for retaining the member 52 therein. Typically, the member 52 isleft in the slot 54 once the cementitious material 16 is applied. Tofacilitate deployment of reinforcement members 102, well known in theart, between the panels 12, the brace members 30 have indented notches104 disposed between the breakable portions 34 for receiving cables 106which are used for tying or otherwise securing the reinforcement members102 in place. The cable 106 is typically pulled tight through theindented notches 104 during securing of the reinforcement members 102therewith. As the cable 106 is pulled tightly through the notches 104,slippage or other displacement of the cable 106 and reinforcement member102, relative the brace members 30, is impeded.

With regard to relative spacing and dimensions of the brace members 30and brackets 50, the size of the brace 10 will vary based on the desireddistance D between the panels 12, the thickness of the panels 12, andthe size of the support members 14. Generally speaking, the retainingmember slots 34 a, 34 b of each brace member are spaced apart relativeone another such that the distance D extends between a portion ofretaining slot 34 a and a portion of retaining slot 34 b. The bracketslots 58 are positioned on the brace member 30 and the brackets 50 areconfigured, i.e. sized and shaped, such that when the supporting member14 is placed in the bracket 30 and the retaining members 32 are insertedagainst the inner faces 18 with the inner faces spaced apart at distanceD, the adjacent support member 14 abuts against the outer face 20 andthe bracket plate 66. The breakable portions 34 a, 34 b are spaced apartrelative one another such that they are situated intermediate the innerand outer faces 20 when the support members 14 held in the brackets 30abutting the outer faces 20 with the retaining members 52 in theretaining slots 54 and abutting against the inner faces 18. The bracemembers 30, brackets 50, and retaining members 52 are constructed of arigid material, such as metal or rigid plastic. However, portions of thebrackets 18, e.g. the bracket arms 68 may be constructed of a resilientmaterial where desired.

In use, the brace 10 is typically deployed by placing panel 12 with theouter face 20 against the support member 14, which is preferably alreadyanchored to a supporting base, such as the ground or cement structure,which maintains the supporting members 14 spaced apart from one another.The brace members 30 are then laid across the top horizontal ends 26 ofthe first and second panels 12, with the retaining aperture extendingover the edge of the inner face 20. The brackets 30 are placed aroundthe supporting members 14 and connected to the end portions 32, asdescribed above. The retaining members 52 are then inserted into theretaining slots 54, as described above, until the panel 12 is heldabuttingly against the support member 14 on the outer face and theretaining member 52 on the inner face 20 and the breakable portions 34situated between the inner and outer faces 18, 20. Thus, the panel 12 issandwiched in between the members 14, 52. The retaining screw is thenscrewed into the bracket 50 and retaining member. Once the panels 12 areconnected by the brace 10, the cementitious material 16 is applied. Whenthe cementitious material has solidified, a force is applied, forexample by striking the brackets 30, to cause the breakable portions 34to break and the brackets 50, end portions 36, and support members 14are removed. Additional cementitious material 16 or grout may then beapplied to cover the breakable portion 34.

Although the present invention has been described with a certain degreeof particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has beenmade by way of example only and that the present invention is notlimited to the features of the embodiments described and illustratedherein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scopeand spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

1. A brace for temporarily retaining a first panel and a second panel inabutting contact with a respective support member for each panel on anouter face of the panel while a cementitious material is distributedbetween respective inner faces of the panels, the brace comprising:first and second brace members each having respective longitudinallyopposed first and second ends, first and second respective breakableportions disposed respectively proximal said first and second ends, saidbreakable portions being breakable by application of a force thereto,first and second respective end portions extending respectively fromsaid first and second breakable portions to said first and second ends,and first and second retaining members disposed respectively betweensaid first and second breakable portions and proximal thereto; first andsecond brackets connected to, respectively, said first and said secondends, wherein said brace members extend between the panels with thefirst and second ends thereof disposed respectively proximal the firstand second panels with said retaining members abutting against therespective inner faces of the brackets and the support members abuttingagainst the brackets and the outer faces of the panels with eachbreakable portion disposed between the respective inner face and outerface of the panel for breakage thereat and subsequent removal of the endportion, bracket, and support member after the cementitious material hasbeen distributed.
 2. The brace of claim 1, wherein said brace membershave first and second longitudinal side edges extending from said firstend to said second end and first and second planar surfaces extendinglongitudinally from said first and second ends and laterally betweenfirst and second side edges.
 3. The brace of claim 1, wherein said bracemembers have first and second longitudinal side edges extending fromsaid first end to said second end, each said breakable portion beingdefined by respective first and second indentations therefor extendinginwardly toward another one from said first and second longitudinal sideedges at a common predetermined longitudinal position therefor on saidbrace member.
 4. The brace of claim 3, wherein said respective first andsecond indentations for each breakable portion are defined by respectivefirst and second tapered portions tapering inwardly towards each otherand intersecting each other.
 5. The brace of claim 1, wherein eachrespective bracket and the support member are of similar shape, saidrespective bracket being configured for retaining the support member inabutment against the respective outer face along at least a portion ofan proximal surface of the support member extending proximally adjacentthe respective outer face and abuttingly embracing a remaining portionof the supporting member extending away from the adjacent surface. 6.The brace of claim 1, wherein each respective bracket and the supportmember are of similar shape, said respective bracket being configuredfor abutting a distal surface of the supporting member situated distalthe respective outer face with a proximal surface of the supportingmember extending adjacently proximal the outer face in abutmenttherewith.
 7. The brace of claim 1, wherein said brace comprises, foreach bracket, a retaining screw and a respective screw aperture disposedon said bracket, said retaining screw being screwed through saidretaining screw aperture and into the support member with the supportmember abutting against the outer face.
 8. The brace of claim 7, whereineach bracket has a respective bracket plate, said respective bracketplate abutting against a distal surface of the support member with aproximal surface of the support member, situated opposite the distalsurface and proximal the outer face, abutting against the outer face,the retaining aperture and said retaining screw being disposed on thebracket plate.
 9. The brace of claim 1, wherein said first and secondbrackets each comprise a respective bracket plate and first and secondrespective bracket side arms connected thereto, the bracket plateextending between said side arms, said respective first and second sidearms of said first bracket being connected to said first end portionsand said respective first and second side arms of said second bracketbeing connectable to said second end portions with said bracket plateabutting against the support member and the support member abuttingagainst the outer face.
 10. The brace of claim 9, wherein saidrespective bracket plate abuts against a distal surface of the supportmember with a proximal surface of the support member, situated oppositethe distal surface and proximal the outer face, abutting against theouter face, said side arms abutting against at least a portion of memberside surfaces extending between said proximal surface and said distalsurface.
 11. The brace of claim 1, wherein said first and secondbrackets are releasably connectable to, respectively, said respectivefirst and second end portions.
 12. The brace of claim 11, wherein saidfirst and second end portions each comprise respective bracket slots,said respective bracket slot of each first end being aligned with oneanother and said respective bracket slot of each second end beingaligned with one another, and each bracket comprises bracket fingerssized and shaped for insertion into the bracket slots to removablyconnect the first and second brackets to, respectively, said first andsecond end portions.
 13. The brace of claim 12, wherein said first andsecond brackets each comprise respective a respective bracket plate andfirst and second bracket side arms connected thereto and extendingradially therefrom with the bracket plate extending therebetween, saidside arms being connectable to said first and second end portions withsaid end plate abutting against the support member and the supportmember abutting against the outer face, said respective bracket fingersbeing disposed on said side arms, one said bracket finger for each sidearm.
 14. The brace of claim 13, wherein each side arm comprises a sideplate extending from a respective intersecting edge of the end plate, arecessed portion extending from the side plate, and a finger portionextending from the recessed portion to a respective bracket end, therecessed portion being recessed relative the finger portion and the sideplate and forming a side arm recess intermediate said finger portion andside plate for seating of the end of the brace member therein when thebracket finger is inserted into said bracket slot therefor.
 15. Thebrace of claim 14, wherein each side arm is resiliently connected tosaid bracket plate such that said side arm may be bent inwardly duringinsertion of the bracket fingers into the bracket slots to bring theside arms into at least partial abutment with the supporting member. 16.The brace of claim 13, wherein said fingers have an inwardly taperinginner edge tapering inwardly towards said side plate.
 17. The brace ofclaim 1, wherein said end portions comprise retaining apertures forreceiving said retaining members, said retaining members being removablyinsertable into said retaining member apertures to abut with said innerfaces.
 18. The brace of claim 17, wherein said retaining member is wedgeshaped with an angled inner side extending outwardly away from an outerside thereof, each retaining member and retaining member aperture beingconfigured for insertion of said retaining member into said retainingmember aperture with the outer side extending adjacent the inner faceand the inner side extending angularly away therefrom, the inner sidecoming into contact with an inner slot end of the aperture as saidretaining member is inserted and forcing the outer side into abutmentwith the inner face.
 19. The brace of claim 17, wherein said retainingmember is wedge shaped with an angled inner side extending outwardlyaway from an outer side thereof and member surfaces extending betweenthe two sides, at least one member surface having ridges disposedthereon for grippingly abutting a side edge of the retaining slot whenthe retaining member is inserted therein to retain the retaining memberin the retaining slot.